Sash balance locking device



y 1965 D'ARCY A. YOUNG, JR 3,195,194

SASH BALANCE LOCKING DEVICE Filed Sept. 26, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

DAacv Q. Youne JR BY )JMFMW ATTORN EV United States Patent 3,195,194 SASH BALANCE LQCKENG DEVICE DArcy Andrews Young, In, Palm Beach, Fla, assignor to The Caldwell Manufacturing (10., New York, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Sept. 26, 1962, Ser. No. 227,637 3 Claims. (ill. 2tl--52.2)

This invention relates to a new improvement in a window construction having a sash or sashes slidably mounted in a window frame, and more particularly, pertains to a sash balance locking device for the sash balance in the window construction.

The following is a continuation in part of application #839,770, filed April 29, 1959, now abandoned.

In a window construction having a sash or sashes slidably mounted in a window frame, it is customary to provide means for counterbalancing the weight of the sashes at any time when they may be moved vertically to any position in the frame. Such counterbalancing means may be in the form of the common tape type balance, or may be the type employing a torsion spring and a rod actuator for winding the spring when the window is raised or lowered. Many types of windows are constructed so as to permit one to remove the sash for maintenance and cleaning. Inasmuch as the sash balances are usually pre-loaded or pretensioned, it has been found to be a desirable feature to provide for the locking of the sash balance in the position it occupies along the frame when a sash is removed for maintenance or cleaning. Many devices have been presented in the art for locking the sash balance. However, such devices have always left certain features to be desired. For instance, certain types of devices have sharp-edged portions which are adapted to dig into portions of the frame for locking the sash balance in position. Other types of devices rely on small shaped parts for their operation, which parts are adapted to become worn out or maladjusted so as to function improperly.

Accordingly, it is a main object of this invention to provide a sash balance locking device for a window having a removable sash, in which the device is of simplified basic design, whereby simplicity of operation resists the wearing out of any parts.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a sash balance locking device having a minimum of component parts, thus avoiding complexity and the resultant relatively high cost to the consumer.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a sash balance locking device which, because of its simplicity of design, can be operated without any special skill or knowledge and requires little or no maintenance.

In Carrying out the objects of this invention, there is provided a window including a removable sash, a guideway for the sash, a sash balance for the sash, and a sash balance locking device forming means for locking the sash balance in the position it occupies at the time that the sash is removed from the window; said device including a locking block, a sash connector connected to the block and to the sash balance, and a latch means on the sash for being disengaged from the sash connector when the sash is removed, to permit the sash connector to cause the locking block to retain the sash balance.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is an elevation of a common type of window construction, with parts cut away, illustrating the disposition of the sash balance locking means.

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged view, partly in section, taken along the line 2-2 of FIGURE 3, and showing the typical arrangement of a window, including the sash, sash balance, guideway, and locking device.

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FIGURE 3 is a sectional view of a portion of a window, taken along the line 33 of FIGURE 2.

FiGURE 4 is an isometric view, with parts cut away, showing the arrangement of parts in one embodiment of the invention.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a window til having an upper sash 12 and a lower sash ll. A portion of the window 1th is shown cut away revealing the disposition of a sash balance 33, which in this instance may be of the type having a torsion spring (not shown) and an extensible actuator member. A guideway for the sash fl is shown as at 14, and may be fastened to the window it). A channel 31 is formed in the sash 11, which is adapted to slidably fit along the guideway 14, forming means for guiding the sash ll in its movements vertically along the window lb. A plurality of conical springs 35 are disposed in a hollow groove 36 of the outside covering 1d. it will be understood that the upper sash 12 may also be provided with a similar arrangement of sash balances and guideways and locking devices. Hereinafter, a description of the arrangement including the sash ll, guideway 14, and sash balance 13 will sufiice for the similar arrangement found throughout the window ill.

FIGURES 3 and 4 refer for a detailed illustration of only one modification of the present invention. A sash balance 13 is provided and may be of the type that may be fastened in side guideway 14 and has an extensible member such as the rod 13 that is operably connected with a sash ll. Vertical movement of the sash ll up- Wardly or downwardly on its guideway 14 causes vertical movement correspondingly of the extensible member 18 of the sash balance 13 for increasing or decreasing the tension applied on the sash balance, thus counterbalancing the sash Ill. Although a common spiral-type balance is shown, this is merely for illustration, it being pointed out that this invention is not to be limited expressly to such type of balance, but may be used with other types of balances as well, where the balance has an extensible member.

The guideway 14 is of substantially channel-like shape, being formed from a rectangular hollow tube having an elongated opening 32 formed on one side the length thereof. The guideway 14 is disposed against a plurality of spring like devices 35 which are slightly flexed. The springs 35 force guide member 7.4 against the sash ll. When the sash is in place within the window frame iii, a groove space 36 is produced between the window frame In and the guideway 14, as seen in FIGURE 2.

t should be noted that the groove space 36 and spring devices 35 can of course be built on both sides of the window frame lb.

When removal of the sash ll from the window frame it is desired, sash fl is pushed horizontally in one direction. This causes the guide member 14 to further compress springs 3-5 with the resulting movement of the guide member 14 into groove space 36. This motion allows the opposite side of the sash ll to be disposed free from the corresponding guide member 14 on the opposite side since sliding fasteners 1''! limit the horizontal movement of guide member 14 on this opposite side. It can easily be seen that the spring devices 35 need be disposed only on one side of the frame ll? if desired.

Insertion of sash 11 is accomplished in reverse order of the aforementioned described removal operation.

The spring devices shown in the preferred embodiment of my invention may be conical coil springs as shown or elliptical ribbon springs. Alternatively a piece of sponge rubber might be disposed between the frame 10 and channel member 14 to provide the resiliency necess r for removal.

beveled faces, as will appear.

Some of the above structure is exemplified in United States Patent 2,677,156 issued May 4, 1951 to D. F. Holmes and in United States Patent 2,747,219 issued May 29, 1956 to G. B. Haas. employs a resilient window jamb permitting lateral movement of the sash to disconnect the sash from one sash balance; following which the removal of the sash from the window frame, as the sash moves clear of the frame laterally, effects the disconnection of the sash from the sash balance.

A locking block 20 is slidably carried or disposed within the interior of the guideway 14, and may be bifurcated in shape. That is to say, the locking .block may be formed having a slot 21 the greater part of its length, and a flexible portion 22 of said block, forming one bifurcation. A portion 25 at one open end of the slot 21 may beshaped as a ramp or the like, as will appear. Thus, at least one surface 29 of the main portion of the block 20, and the flexible portion 22 bear against the inner surfaces of the guideway 14 as the block is slidably disposed therein. Extensions 27 are formed extending outwardly from the body of the block 20 through the opening 32 formed in 'the guideway 14, as will appear.

This structure conventionally latch 28 between theextensions 26 and the extensions 27 respectively of the sash connector 23 and the locking block 29 precludes the upward movement of the sash connector 23 in the slot 21, thus maintaining the wedging cams 24 of the sash connector 23 out of engagement with the ramps25 of the locking block. Thus, the sash block -23 is not caused to bear against the flexible member 22 7 26 of the sash connector 23 and theextensions 27 of the locking block 20, and therefore no longer retains the sash connector 23 against upward movement in the slot 21. The tension of the sash balance, as transmitted by the extensible member 13, then urges the sash connector 23 upwardly a short distance along the slot 21 in the The extensible member 18 is caused to be disposed be- '7 tween the extensions 27 of the locking block 20.

A sash connector 23 is movably or slidably carried in the slot 21 formed in the locking block 26 and may be formed in the shape of a substantially rectangular plate having a dimension so as to be freely slidable in the said slot 21. Extensions 26, similar to the extensions 27, are

formed extending outwardly from the sash connector 23 through the opening 32 in the guideway. Said extensions 26, as well as the extensions27, may be formed with The extensions 26 and 27 are also disposed as to be facing each other, with an opening therebetween. It is also pointed out that the extensions 26 of the sash connector 23 form the connector-like device by means of which the sash connector is connected to the extensible member 18 of the sash balance 13, which member extends between the extensions 26. The end of the extensible member 18 is provided with a cross-pin 19 or toggle which is engaged to catch against the extensions 26, thus retaining the sash connector 23 to the sash balance 13. The sash connector 23 is also provided with cams 24 which, when in position, bear against the ramps of the locking block 20; forming wedges which force the sash connector 23 to bear against the flexible portion 22 of the locking block 20 thereby cauisng the locking lock 20 to frictionally engage with the inner surfaces of the guideway.

FIGURE 3 also illustrates the relationship of the sash connector 23 to the locking block 20, and the relationship of the extensible member 18 and the crosspin 19 to the sash connector 23.

FIGURES 2 through 4 illustrate the channel 31 formed in the edge of the sash 11, whereby the sash 11 may be guided vertically in the opening in the window 10 when the channel 31 is slidably disposed along the guideway 14.

. The sash 11 is also provided with a channel 30, in which is fastened a latch 28, which may be of any shape suitable to be engaged between the extensions 26 and the extensions 27 respectively of the sash connector 23 and the locking block 20. nel 39 forms an area into which the extensions 26 and 27 may extend.

The operation of the device is as follows: With the locking block 20 and the sash connector 23 and the sash balance 13 assembled in the window 10 with the guideway,

It is also pointed out that the chan-' locking block 20. The cams 24 bear against theramps 25 of the locking block 20, wedging the sash connector 23 so as to bear against the flexible member 22 of the block 20, forcing the locking block into frictional engagement with the inner surfaces of the guideway 14, and halting any upward movement of'the locking'device in response to the urging of the sash balance. Inasmuch as the movement of the sash connector 23 in the slot 21 is very short, the above action takes place substantially immediately in response to removal of the sash 11 from the window 19, and the sash balance 13 is effectively and quickly locked in the position it occupies at the time that the sash 11 is removed. Removal of the sash 11 from the window 10 further effects the disconnecting of the sash from a second sash locking block (not shown) on the opposite side of the sash 11, to the viewers right in FIG. 1.

When the sash 11 is returned to its position in the window 10, FIGURE '2, the sash 11 is replaced in the window opening at a point whereby the latch 28 is located at or slightly above its normal position with respect to the extensions 26 and 27 of the sash connector 23 and the locking block 20. By reason of the fact that the extensions 26 whereby the latch 28 is caused to enter into its position between the extensions 26 of the sash connector 23 and the extensions 27 of the locking block 20. In this manner, the sash balance 13 is again operably connected with the sash 11 through the locking device to counterbalance the weight of the sash 11.

Itwill be noted that the guideways 14 may be extruded from any working material such as metal or the like. The sash connector 23 and the locking block 20 may be molded or machined from any material which is substantially rigid in property, but which is not liable to appreciable cold flow. The material for each of the connector 23 and the block 20 should be impact resistant, but the material contemplated in the objects, provides for a window construction including a sash balance and a sash balance locking device for a removable sash slidably disposed along a guideway mounted on a window frame, the locking device including a locking block having a slot forming a flexible portion slidably carried in the guideway, a sash connector movably carried in the slot in'the locking block and con-' nected to the sash balance, a latch on the sash engageable with the locking block and the sash connector, and means on the sash connector for moving the flexible portion of the locking block into frictional engagement with the guideway responsive to removal of the sash from the window.

I should like to make clear that the described removable sash is but one embodiment for which the aforedescribed device will work. Otherwise removable sash types for which my invention has been adapted include moving a pin into a slot, moving a sash above a guide member, and moving a sash into an opening. While these specific embodiments have not been described in detail it would be within the scope of anyone skilled in the art to adapt my structure to use on these aforegoing removable sash types, and hence I do not intend to be limited to the specific removable sash type shown in the previously described figures.

It will become apparent that the invention further carries out the stated objects, among others, in contemplating a simply designed, durable and efi'icient locking device utilizing a new combination of elements.

A single modification of the invention having been shown and described merely for illustration, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the modification shown, but is to be interpreted as fairly fails within the spirit of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A sash balance and a sash balance locking device for a removable sash slidably disposed along a guideway mounted on a window frame, said locking device comprising a locking block having a siot and a flexible portion slidably carried in said guideway, a sash connector movably carried in said slot and connected to said sash balance, a latch on said sash engageable with said locking block and said sash connector, and means on said sash connector for causing said flexible portion of said block to move into frictional engagement with said guideway responsive to removal of said latch, said means comprising a cam formed on said sash connector for hearing against said locking block.

2. A window including a sash, a guideway for the sash, a sash balance fastened to the window, and a sash balance locking device operably connecting said sash and said sash balance; said locking device comprising a locking block carried slidably in said guideway, and having a slot and a flexible portion adapted to bear against said guideway, a sash connector carried in said slot and connected to said sash balance, a latch on said sash operably engageable between said sash connector and said locking block, and a cam on said sash connector forming means for bearing against said locking block and forcing said flexible portion into frictional engagement with said guideway when said sash is removed from said window.

3. A window including a sash, a guideway for the sash, a sash balance fastened to the window, and a sash balance locking device connecting said sash and said sash balance; said locking device comprising a bifurcated locking block, slidably carried in the guideway, one of the bifurcations of said block being flexible for frictional engagement with the guideway, a sash connector movably carried between the bifurcations of said block and having a cam formed thereon for hearing against one of the bifurcations, opposing extensions formed outwardly from said block and said sash connector through a slot in the gnideway, a latch fastened to the sash for being normally engaged between said extensions, said sash connector being connected to the sash balance for moving said cam against one of the bifurcations and causing frictional engagement between said block and the guideway in response to removal of the sash from the Window.

HARRISON R. MOSELEY, Primary Examiner. 

1. A SASH BALANCE AND A SASH BALANCE LOCKING DEVICE FOR A REMOVABLE SASH SLIDABLY DISPOSED ALONG A GUIDEWAY MOUNTED ON A WINDOW FRAME, SAID LICLING DEVICE COMPRISING A LOCKING BLOCK HAVING A SLOT AND A FLEXIBLE PORTION SLIDABLY CARRIED IN SAID GUIDEWAY, A SASH CONNECTOR MOVABLY CARRIED IN SAID SLOT AND CONNECTED TO SAID SASH BALANCE, A LATCH ON SAID SASH ENGAGEABLE WITH SAID LOCKING BLOCK AND SAID SASH CONNECTOR, AND MEANS ON SAID SASH CONNECTOR FOR CAUSING SAID FLEXIBLE PORTION OF SAID BLOCK TO MOVE INTO FRICTIONAL ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID GUIDEWAY RESPONSIVE TO REMOVAL OF SAID LATCH, SAID MEANS COMPRISING A CAM FORMED ON SAID SASH CONNECTOR FOR BEARING AGAINST SAID LOCKING BLOCK. 